Building Up Your Body

Choosing the Right Protein Bar

Protein, that essential nutrient our body can’t survive without. In fact, proteins are one of the building blocks of body tissue. They are also a source of fuel, like a component in petrol to keep a car engine running.

This underscores the importance of getting the required amount of protein into our body via the food we eat. Whether or not you’re in a fitness program, you should have your own daily dose of these essential nutrients.

However, for certain reasons, we can’t consume the recommended amount of protein on a daily basis. It can be because we can’t prepare our meals to include a good amount of these nutrients or the food we buy just doesn’t contain the amount we need. Don’t worry, though, as there’s a literally handy solution for that: protein bars. They’re convenient (since you can put them in your bag or even your pocket and take them with you wherever you go) and they can be an active replacement to your meals.

Of course, not all protein bars are created equal. In order to get the right one, here are tips:

Consider the carbs-to-protein ratio – The rule of thumb is, if it’s a protein bar, it should contain at least 15 grams of protein. Anything lower than that means you should have second thoughts on getting it. You also want to make sure that the protein content is higher than the carbs. Be sure to check the package to read how much protein is in the bar compared to the carbs.

Check the protein source – When reading the label, be sure to also check if the bar contains high-quality sources of protein, including hydrolyzed whey, micellar casein, and whey isolates. Secondary sources would be whey or soy concentrates. There are cases wherein gelatin or collagen is added to the bar to improve its texture. Don’t forget to check the ingredients to find the protein types, which are usually arranged from highest to lowest in concentration.

Check the sugar, too – We all know that too much sugar can translate to more fat. The irony is that many of the protein bars you’ll find out there are loaded with sugar. Stay away from those that contain refined sugars, such as corn syrup, sucrose, and high-fructose corn syrup. If these ingredients are present, that protein bar is practically just another candy bar.

These are some of the things you have to remember when choosing an excellent protein bar (and if you want to know when to use protein powders, learn from relevant sources).